"[Jesus said,] 'Amen, Amen, I say
to you, whoever believes in me
will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father'"
John 14:12
In 1987, over 1500 Catholic Christians gathered at
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to revive the National
Black Catholic Congress Movement that began in 1889. Our founder, Daniel Rudd,
was convinced that the Catholic Church had a powerful message to proclaim within
the Black community, across the nation, and around the world.
As they met in five congresses from 1889-1894, our
ancestors in the Movement were not afraid to meet the challenges that existed
within the Church and society. However, they remained hopeful for the potential
of the transformative role of Catholic evangelization in the African-American
community and beyond. They gave us the legacy of a faith that is engaged to
follow the Great Commandment of the Lord (cf. Matthew 22:37-40) and to fulfill
the Great Commission from the Lord (cf. Matthew 28:18-20).
Twenty-five years later, thousands will gather in
Indianapolis for the National Black Catholic Congress XI from July 19-21, 2012.
God has done great things through us! Congress XI is a time to reflect on these
accomplishments.
Learn more about the Keynote speaker,
Immaculée Ilibagiza
Learn more about our general session speaker,
Father Reginald Whitt.
God invites us to do greater works as we
consider the needs of our time. Faith that is engaged recognizes that active
disciples in the Church need to be renewed and alienated disciples need to
be reconciled. All are welcome to experience deeper faith in Christ,
actively following Him within the fellowship of the Church. How do we raise
the consciousness of each generation within the Church to be actively
engaged within it? How do we help one another to discover our distinctive
vocation (i.e., married life or committed single life; consecrated religious
life, diaconate, or priesthood) and remain faithful to it?
Our economy struggles to recover with high
unemployment and rising poverty. Faith that is engaged addresses practical
needs through parochial, educational, and social service institutions. It
provides a message of hope that will build individuals, married couples, and
families up when circumstances want to break them down. Faith that is
engaged also advocates for policies which promote the common good,
respecting the dignity of every human being.
Congress XI is a time to renew our commitment to
address the challenges of the present.
Make plans now to join your fellow Catholic
Christians to engage in this process of sankofa. Let us remember where we
have been so that we can continue to move confidently in the present and the
future. God is continuing to do great things through us! Empowered by the
Holy Spirit and equipped to fulfill our distinctive vocations within the
Church, we are strengthened to joyfully fulfill our baptismal commitment to
evangelize.
Congress XI is a time to rejoice with confidence
in our future. See you there!
For more information visit the calendar of event
section, and check the web site periodically for more information:
http://www.nbccongress.org/events/.
Registration includes:
Full Congress XI meeting schedule
Continental Breakfasts (food)
AM & PM Break (food)
Welcome Networking Hospitality Reception -- Wednesday (food)
Access to exhibit area
Box Lunches available @ $5.00 each (Thursday, Friday & Saturday)
Networking Hospitality Suite Access
Download the Schedule
Congress XI Schedule at-a-glance.
Subject to change.
